Warren Mitchell as Shylock

Press, 30 April 1982, Page 11

Warren Mitchell as Shylock

“The Merchant of Venice,” on One tonight, is the fourteenth production in the most ambitious and expansive project in the history of television — the presentation of all 37 plays by William Shakespeare over a six-year period. This celebrated series draws on the “cream” of British talent to record the playwright’s masterworks for posterity. The play has been interpreted in different ways at different times through the ages. With Jonathon Miller’s production, Shakespeare’s first tragi-comedy enjoys a unique awareness of the racial tensions and conflicts within the work. The combination of Jewish star, a Jewish producer and a Jewish director has created a fresh attitude to these elements and to the portrayal of the play’s central character, Shylock.

It is a play about revenge, hatred and illicit love. A renowned character actor, Warren Mitchell, leads a strong cast with his portrayal of the demonstrative Shylock. Having played the title role of “King Lear” in Australia and with his two highly acclaimed performances at the National Theatre in “Death of a Salesman” and “The Caretaker,” Warren Mitchell finally leaves behind the Alf Garnett character from the 8.8. C. Television series “Till Death Us Do Part." Gemma Jones, star of the successful 8.8. C. Television series “The Duchess of Duke Street,” plays Portia and John Franklyn-Robbins appears as Antonio. “The Merchant of Venice” was produced for 8.8. C./ Time Life Films by Jonathon Miller and was directed byJack Gold.